Systems and methods for asset management

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods described herein may involve receiving creative elements, each creative element comprising a visual element and a time. Each of the plurality of creative elements may overlap in time with each other. The visual elements of the associated creative elements may be displayed together in a time slot of a calendar corresponding to the overlapping time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/252,520 filed Apr. 14, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/812,111, filed Apr. 15, 2013, allof the foregoing are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an account creation process according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a creation process according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a removal process according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a notification process according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is an annotation process according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is an editing process according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a campaign creation process according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is an upload process according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a notification process according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a subscription process according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 12 is a reporting process according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 13A-13D are login screenshots according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 14A-14I are calendar screenshots according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 15A-15H are user interface screenshots according to an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 16 is a calendar screenshot according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

Systems and methods described herein may provide applications forcreating, reviewing, and managing publishing/messaging/contentcalendars. Marketing, creative, and production teams may have access tomultiple visual assets (advertising formats, photography, designs,sketches, videos, art, paintings, fabric, blueprints, mockups, drawings,automotive concepts, clothing designs, industrial designs, architecturaldrawings, handwriting, source files, posters, facial representations,projections, etc.) simultaneously displayed in one place, may be able tosee how each piece of creative visually relates to the other, and may beable to also visually see data related to the use of the visual assets,such as performance data, metrics, analytics, and spending. For example,a user may be able to get a quick snap shot of how the media dollars arebeing spent against each asset along with performance data, metrics, andanalytics. Some performance data may include views/impressions/reach,clicks, hits, sharing of the ad with others, engagement (e.g., likes orcomments on a social network or other forum), etc. An example use caseis advertising and marketing: by visually layering digital marketingcalendars (e.g., social media, display ads, search, media spend, etc.),traditional marketing calendars (e.g., out of home, television, print,radio, etc.), important dates, and media spend/performance data, themarketing manager can get a better sense of how the entire advertisinginitiative is working as a whole. For example, the systems and methodsdescribed herein may provide some or all of this information in aone-screen, horizontal, printable, timeline format. Other formats mayalso be possible. Other use cases may include art galleries planningdisplays and schedules, military organizations planning equipmentdeployment for different seasons, clothing lines being sold seasonally,retailers planning sales and seasonal store displays, etc.

Systems and methods described herein may digitally deliver high-qualitytext, imagery, audio, and video content related to marketing andadvertising in an easy-to-navigate visual calendar. Publishing,messaging, and content calendars may be delivered to any cloud-baseddevice such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet computer. Varioussubscription models for users, for example which may be based on numberof users, may be employed in some embodiments. Systems and methodsdescribed herein may allow a user to visually see how simultaneouscampaigns relate to each other from a visual standpoint; get a quicksnapshot of how creative cadence (e.g., timing of creative release)relates to media spend; collaborate across agencies, brands, andplatforms on present and future campaign messaging; compare multiplecampaigns and campaign elements in a layered environment; utilizepreloaded templates to see how other brands and agencies have succeeded,etc.

Systems and methods described herein may comprise one or more computers,which may also be referred to as processors. A computer may be anyprogrammable machine or machines capable of performing arithmetic and/orlogical operations. In some embodiments, computers may compriseprocessors, memories, data storage devices, and/or other commonly knownor novel components. These components may be connected physically orthrough network or wireless links. Computers may also comprise softwarewhich may direct the operations of the aforementioned components.Computers may be referred to with terms that are commonly used by thoseof ordinary skill in the relevant arts, such as servers, PCs, mobiledevices, routers, switches, data centers, distributed computers, andother terms. Computers may facilitate communications between usersand/or other computers, may provide databases, may perform analysisand/or transformation of data, and/or perform other functions. It willbe understood by those of ordinary skill that those terms used hereinare interchangeable, and any computer capable of performing thedescribed functions may be used. For example, although the term “router”may appear in the following specification, the disclosed embodiments arenot limited to routers.

Computers may be linked to one another via a network or networks. Anetwork may be any plurality of completely or partially interconnectedcomputers wherein some or all of the computers are able to communicatewith one another. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill thatconnections between computers may be wired in some cases (e.g., viaEthernet, coaxial, optical, or other wired connection) or may bewireless (e.g., via Wi-Fi, WiMax, or other wireless connection).Connections between computers may use any protocols, includingconnection oriented protocols such as TCP or connectionless protocolssuch as UDP. Any connection through which at least two computers mayexchange data can be the basis of a network.

FIG. 1 is a system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Thesystem 100 may include one or more computers comprising one or moreprocessors. The system 100 may include a calendar module 110 which maybe constructed and arranged to generate and manage the calendars 1400described in greater detail below. The system 100 may include an accountmodule 120 and/or profile module 130 which may be constructed andarranged to generate and manage accounts and/or profiles, respectively,as described in greater detail below. The system 100 may also include acommunication module 140, which may allow the system 100 to interactwith other computers, e.g. via a network such as the Internet, so thatthe system 100 may send and receive data associated with calendars 1400to remote computers. The system 100 may also include a management module150, which may manage features of the system 100. For example, thesystem 100 may be in communication with remote computers 20, 30 via anetwork 10 such as the Internet.

The system 100 may provide access to users based on user class in someembodiments. Example user classes may be as follows. A Subscriber may besomeone who has created an account and has a base subscription or a freetrial subscription. A Potential Subscriber may be someone who has notyet created an account for a base subscription. Potential Subscribersmay be exposed to the system 100 by any of a variety of methods, forexample through free trial subscriptions offered through sales effortsor through an invitation from a Subscriber to be a collaborating memberin a campaign and to subscribe to the system 100. A Collaborator may bea Subscriber with a base subscription that hosts or joins a campaign. AnEditor may be any Subscriber that can edit a campaign and managecampaign members. Any Subscriber that hosts/starts a campaign mayautomatically be an Editor. Editors may be able to turn Collaboratorsinto Editors. A Marketing Administrator may identify promotional codesused by individuals (e.g., by Facebook preferred marketing developerprogram (PMD) users) for trial memberships. The Marketing Administratorrole may run reports to analyze promotional code origins andeffectiveness. A Curator may manage a content repository and determinewhich example campaigns and templates will be edited/removed/added. ASystem User may manage the background system 100 (e.g., the database,content delivery mechanism, integration with the payment processing) andthe Subscriber-facing app and web site. A Customer Support User may bean associate who is accessible (e.g., by phone or email) to assist aSubscriber with their account.

At least a base subscription may be necessary before the system 100content can be accessed in some embodiments. Only Subscribers withaccounts may be permitted to search for content and view content beyondthe initial landing page. Non-Subscribers may be able to view (via theinitial landing page) information about the system 100, a system 100demo, and a form to create a system 100 account. Trial subscriptions maybe initiated externally (e.g., by Facebook PMDs) or internally fromwithin the system 100. The trial subscription may begin when thePotential Subscriber completes the account registration to activate theaccount. The duration of the trial may vary, e.g. based on the PMD fromwhich the subscription promotion originates. In some embodiments aPotential Subscriber can access a link in an email which may launch anaccount creation page and identify the PMD who originated the promotion.The system 100 may offer a free trial subscription and may allowself-service enrollment.

FIG. 2 is an account creation process 200 according to an embodiment ofthe invention. A Potential Subscriber may access an interface providedby the system 100 (e.g., by the account module 120), for example via anemail from a PMD, or by downloading an app to their wireless device, oraccessing the system 100 web site. In 210, the Potential Subscriber mayaccess a form for creating a new account. The Potential Subscriber mayprovide information to create an account. Example information mayinclude a unique email address which may serve as an account identifierin some embodiments, a password which may be required to meet strongpassword requirements in some embodiments, a name, identity challengequestions and answers, an alert preference (e.g., push notification,email, none), a terms of use agreement acceptance, a query response fora minimum age to use the site, a payment method such as credit cardinformation, an auto-renew subscription preference (e.g., yes/no andduration), and/or other information.

FIG. 13B is an example account creation page according to an embodimentof the invention, through which a user may create an account. Once anaccount is created, the Potential Subscriber may be a Subscriber. In 220the Subscriber may login, for example by entering their accountidentifier and password. Note that in some embodiments, an account maybe associated with a client or group of related calendars. For example,the account creation page may be used to create a new account for aspecific company. Some users may be account admins and they may haveaccess to an account creation page and/or other account pages (see forexample FIG. 15G below, which is an account page associated with abrand).

FIG. 13A is an example login page according to an embodiment of theinvention, through which a user may enter credentials to access thesystem 100. The login page may allow any user to log into their profile(e.g., by the profile module 130). Users who are account admins may beable to access account pages as well, but other users may only be ableto access profile pages and calendar pages (see for example FIG. 15Fbelow, which is a profile page associated with a user). In 230 thesystem 100 may determine whether the password is valid. If not, in 240password recovery may be offered and performed. FIG. 13C is an examplepassword resend page according to an embodiment of the invention,through which a user may enter an email address to which a passwordreset link may be sent. FIG. 13D is an example password reset pageaccording to an embodiment of the invention, through which a user mayenter a new password after receiving the link. If so, in 250 access tothe system 100 features described below may be granted. Upon login, alanding page associated with the Subscriber may be displayed. Thecontent of the landing page may vary by Subscriber and may contain maincalendar (described below) and options to manage the account profile(e.g., change information entered during registration), for example.

FIGS. 14A-14I and 16 are calendar screenshots according to an embodimentof the invention. FIGS. 15A-15H are user interface (UI) screenshotsaccording to an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 may displayand allow interaction with campaign data via a calendar 1400 UI and/orother user interfaces. The calendar 1400 and associated functions may begenerated and/or managed by the calendar module 110 in some embodiments.The system 100 may receive user commands and/or send data to userslocally or remotely using the communication module 140 in someembodiments.

The calendar 1400 in FIG. 14A is a calendar with no creative dataentered for the time range displayed. The calendar 1400 UI may allowusers to add creative data 1405 and may allow users to select adifferent time range to view 1410 (e.g., navigate to different times byselecting a date). Creative data may be displayed in the creativesection 1401, and media data associated with the creative data may bedisplayed in the media section 1402, as described in greater detailbelow. For example, creative data may include information about aspecific campaign (e.g., campaign creative elements, description,locations where displayed, etc.), and media data may include spend data,performance metric data, etc. Multiple campaigns may be displayed in acalendar display for date selection 1410, and each campaign may beselected via a tab 1403 (the example of FIG. 14A shows only onecampaign). The calendar 1400 may display dates 1404 which may bepopulated with creative and/or media data for days during which acampaign runs, as discussed in greater detail below. Calendars 1400 inthe examples herein are used for displaying creatives (e.g., advertisingcampaigns associated with various products, product lines, clients,etc.), although they may be used to display any data with associateddate information (e.g., data about products, assets, options, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 14B, the calendar 1400 UI may allow users to create newblank campaigns, import campaigns, and/or use templates to createcampaigns 1415. Templates may enable users to start with content in thecalendar 1400, rather than opening a blank document and starting fromscratch. For example, recent templates (e.g., “Template One”, “TVtemplate on”, “Lorem ipsum template”) may be shown in the menu. Sometemplates may be supplied with the calendar 1400 UI (e.g., “FlightTemplates”). Other templates may be created by users (e.g., “UserTemplates”). FIG. 16 illustrates an example calendar 1400 which may beused as a template in some embodiments. The calendar 1400 of FIG. 16includes creative and media data. A user may have generated the calendar1400 of FIG. 16 and then saved it as a template. As a result, the usermay be able to load it as a template in the future and start working ona calendar 1400 which is prepopulated with creative and media data.

As shown in FIG. 14C, the calendar 1400 UI may allow users to savecampaigns as templates, rename campaigns, archive campaigns, and/ordelete campaigns 1415.

FIG. 14D shows an example wherein the calendar 1400 UI displays twocreative sections 1401A and 1401B simultaneously. An option may beprovided within the UI to compare creatives. For example, an icon 1421may be provided in a tab 1403 above a first creative section 1401A, andselecting this icon 1421 may cause the creative associated with the tab1403 to be displayed in a second creative section 1401B. Selecting theicon 1421 again may stop the comparison. An option to stop comparing1422 may also be provided in the UI. The comparison may allow a user toview separate calendars/campaigns together to see what campaigns arerunning in the same date range, for instance. In the example of 14D, twocreative sections are compared, although in other embodiments morecreative sections may be displayed simultaneously.

FIG. 14E shows examples of a calendar displaying the same informationzoomed to three different levels 1400A, 1400B, 1400C. Zooming todifferent levels may be enabled through the UI via any zooming input(e.g., scrolling, selecting a level in the interface 1430, pinch andzoom for touch-screen devices, etc.). Each calendar 1400A, 1400B, 1400Cin this example includes an image 1431A, 1431B, 1431C. The system 100may store multiple images at different resolutions for use at differentzoom levels. For example, in a calendar 1400 with many images shownbecause of a distant zoom level, lower resolution images may be used.This may reduce processor load in some embodiments. On the other hand,in a calendar 1400 with only one or a few images displayed due to atight zoom level, higher resolution images may be used. When an image isintroduced to the system 100 (e.g., by user upload during creation of acreative), the system 100 may generate copies of the image at differentresolutions. For example, if a user uploads a very large, highdefinition image, the file size may be too large to load on a handhelddevice. The system 100 may create a smaller version of the image (aswell as many other sizes in some embodiments) so that it may loadquickly and display properly on a smaller screen. The system 100 maydetect screen dimensions of the device and choose an appropriate size.

The calendars 1400A, 1400B, 1400C also include sample creative data. Acreative may be divided into phases 1432A, 1432B, 1432C (e.g., phases1-3 as shown in the example of FIG. 14E). Descriptions 1433A, 1433B,1433C may be provided for each phase 1432A, 1432B, 1432C. Details mayalso be provided for each phase 1432A, 1432B, 1432C. In this example,the details include images 1431A, 1431B, 1431C and text 1434A, 1434B,1434C describing the creative. The details may appear on the calendar1400A, 1400B, 1400C such that they stretch across the dates during whichthe creative is being used (e.g., when a billboard is displayed, when aTV commercial is aired, when an Internet ad is displayed, etc.). Thedetails may also be named by a user. For example, in FIG. 14E thecreative is entitled “Out of Home” as shown.

FIG. 16 also shows a calendar 1400 example including creative data. Asin FIG. 14E, phases 1432, descriptions 1433, and details 1434 areincluded. Note that several different sets of details 1434 are shown inthis example. A campaign may include multiple facets (e.g., multiplecommercials, images, billboards, text descriptions, etc.), each of whichmay be active during a different phase of the campaign. Each differentfacet may be shown in a separate row in the calendar 1400. The calendar1400 also includes media spend data 1490. For each day, the calendar1400 illustrates an amount spent. As discussed above, other metrics mayalso be shown.

In FIG. 14F a search dialog 1440 is illustrated. Calendars 1400 may belocated using the search dialog 1440 via keyword searching.Additionally, selecting and/or typing into the search dialog 1440 maycause display of a drop-down UI 1441, which may include searchrefinements such as, but not limited to, date 1442, campaign name 1443,row title 1444, type 1445, and title 1446.

As shown in FIG. 14G, the calendar 1400 UI may allow users to view andmanage profile information 1420, such as editing profile, managingaccount, viewing and editing templates and campaigns associated with theaccount, and/or logging out.

As shown in FIG. 14H, the calendar 1400 UI may allow users to view andmanage notifications 1425. These calendar screenshots are furtherreferenced in the Example Embodiments described in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 14I, the calendar 1400 UI may allow users to change thecolor 1450 of a tab 1403. This may allow users to identify differentcalendars 1400 based on tab 1403 color.

FIG. 15A shows an access control UI. A user may be able to controlaccess to calendars using the UI. For example, a user may block a seconduser from accessing a calendar. In this case, when the second user triesto access the calendar, a dialog 1510 such as that shown in FIG. 15B maybe displayed by the system 100. In other examples, users may receive thedialog 1510 after they try to access the software if their subscriptionhas lapsed, after they have been removed from a campaign by anadministrator, or after they have lost their internet connection. Asthose of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, other dialogs may bedisplayed by the system 100 in other situations. FIG. 15A illustratessome sample dialogs 1511-1519. Dialogs may include, but are not limitedto, option dialogs 1511, confirmation dialogs 1512, information dialogs1513, selection dialogs 1514, template save dialogs 1515, new campaigndialogs 1516, alert generation dialogs 1517, notification dialogs 1518,and upload dialogs 1519. Note that template dialog 1515 and new campaigndialog 1516 may allow date entry so that a user can specify a relevanttime or time period for the template or campaign being saved or created.Also, the alert dialog 1517 may allow a user to enter text to create acustom alert which may be sent to one or more specified users.

In another example, the user may invite a second user to a calendar. Inthis case, the second user may receive an invite 1520, such as thatshown in FIG. 15C, and may use the invite to access the system 100(e.g., to go to a login UI such as those described above).

FIG. 15D provides examples of campaign detail displays 1530A, 1530B,1530C, 1530D. In some embodiments, a user may select a calendar 1400creative (e.g., by double clicking or otherwise selecting a phase,description, and/or detail as shown in FIG. 14E) and be presented with adetail display 1530A, 1530B, 1530C, 1530D associated with that creative.Detail displays 1530A, 1530B, 1530C, 1530D may include, but are notlimited to, an identification of the creative, times and dates when thecreative is active, activities and comments associated with thecreative, visuals, notes, options to edit/crop/clear/delete/etc., anactivity stream displaying user modification history, and/or aprepopulation form for inserting data from a URL into the creative.

FIG. 15E illustrates an example of a media detail display 1540. Thisdisplay 1540 may be similar to the campaign detail displays of FIG. 15D,except that a user may access it by selecting a calendar 1400 mediasection rather than a creative. The detail display 1540 may include, butis not limited to, a thumbnail representing the associated creative 1541(e.g., a small copy of the ad), a title 1542, a description 1543, anactivity stream displaying user modification history 1544, a commentdialog 1545, and/or a title/text editor 1546. Other information may alsobe displayed, such as cost associated with running the media and datasuch as performance metrics and analytics, for example.

FIG. 15F shows an example user profile UI 1520. The UI 1520 may allow auser to edit their personal information and view active campaigns andtemplates to which they have access. For example, a user may be able toedit information such as their name, company, title, contactinformation, location, language preference, time zone, etc. from theuser profile UI 1520. The user may be able to edit notification optionsfrom the user profile UI 1520. For example, a user may choose whetherthey would like to be notified when different events involving them takeplace within the system 100 (e.g., they are added to a campaign, or aproject they have worked on has been changed). The user profile UI 1520may also show lists and/or information about campaigns and/or templatesassociated with the user.

FIG. 15G shows an example account UI 1525. The account UI 1525 maydisplay information about an account (e.g., one associated with aspecific brand as shown in this example), including campaigns and/orusers associated with the account, for example. The account UI 1525 maydisplay information such as a name of an account and statisticsassociated with the account (e.g., users associated with the account,campaigns associated with the account, storage use, etc.). A user may beable to edit notification options from the account UI 1525. For example,a user may choose whether they would like to be notified when differentevents associated with the account take place within the system 100(e.g., new account admins are added, users associated with the accountare added or removed, account limits such as space or total number ofallowed campaigns are neared). Information about account admins may bedisplayed in the account UI 1525, for example contact information and/orlinks to admin profiles. The account UI 1525 may also show lists and/orinformation about campaigns and/or users associated with the account.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Scroll Right and Left to New Calendar Dates. This use case may beginwhen the subscriber is viewing the main calendar screen and selects tomove forward or backward on the timeline. This use case may end when thesubscriber has reached their desired date range and it is displayed onthe screen. The subscriber may be able to transition to close calendardates with a smooth transition animation. There may also be a feature toquickly navigate at a macro level, for instance by weeks and months.

View and Mouse Over Content. This use case may begin when the subscriberarrives at the main calendar view and rolls over various parts of thescreen. This use case may end when the subscriber clicks anywhere on thescreen and/or takes an action. When various rows are rolled over, theymay highlight. When a row in the creative section is highlighted, thecorresponding row in the media section may highlight as well, and viceversa. When a row is highlighted in the Creative Section, that row maybecome considerably larger and in full opacity, whereas the other rowswill become smaller and transparent.

Add Publishing Row, Remove Publishing Row, Drag Publishing Item, RemovePublishing Item. This use case may begin when a subscriber adds apublishing row (e.g., a creative row or media row in the creativesection of FIG. 16), removes a publishing row, drags timeframes withinthe publishing row, or deletes an item within the publishing row. Thisuse case may end when a publishing row has been created, removed,dragged, or has an item deleted. FIG. 3 provides an example 300 ofadding a row. A subscriber may add a new publishing row in 310 bychoosing from preselected row options displayed in 320 (e.g., using adropdown list or other interface): Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr,Pinterest, Google+, YouTube, TV, Print, Radio, Out Of Home, and “Other”.The user may be able to change the “Other” to a custom row title throughthe annotate use case. In examples using a dropdown list, the list maybe sorted by “most recently used”. The subscriber may be able to deletean entire publishing row. FIG. 4 provides an example 400 of removing arow. In 410 the user may request to remove the row. Because of thenature of this action, the user may get a warning message in 420 (e.g.,“Are you sure you want to delete this entire row? Deleting this row willremove all row items currently on screen, past and future dates, andassociated media spend information.”). The user may have the ability tocancel or confirm this action or otherwise send their selection to thesystem 110 in 330/430. When a publishing row is removed, a correspondingmedia row may be automatically removed. A user may be able to drag aspecific publishing item to visually extend its date on the timeline. Auser may be able remove individual items from a publishing row (e.g., byright clicking). Touch screen and gesture users may do this through thelaunch upload window use case. The user's created row(s) may begenerated/deleted in 340/440 and added to/removed from a calendar 1400.

View Notifications. This use case may begin when the subscriber receivesa push notification or an email from the system 100. This use case mayend when the subscriber accesses the system 100 via the alert and viewsthe appropriate landing page. FIG. 5 presents an example notificationgeneration 500. When a subscriber is invited to join a campaign, anotification may be generated in 510, the invitation may show up innotifications in 520, and the subscriber may choose to “ignore” in 540or “join campaign” in 530, for example. If the user joins, the system100 may provide user access to the campaign in 550. When the subscriberreceives a push notification that new content is available, the system100 may support launching the app from the notification. Upon launch andsuccessful login, the post-login landing page may be displayed. When thesubscriber receives an email notification that new content is available,the system 100 may support launching the system 100 web site from theemail. Upon launch, the landing page with login form may be displayed.The subscriber may be unable to access content without authenticationvia login. When the subscriber receives an email notification from acollaborator, the system 100 may support launching the system 100 website from the email. Upon launch, the landing page with login form maybe displayed. FIG. 10 shows an example notification process 1000. Anotification may be triggered in 1010, for example in any of thesituations described above. In 1020, the system 100 may push thenotification to the user to whom it is directed.

Add Important Date, Remove Important Date, Drag Important Date. Animportant date may be a date identified by a user as relating to aspecific event. This use case may begin when the subscriber adds,removes, or drags an important date on the important dates row. This usecase may end when dates are added, removed, or dragged into position.The subscriber may be able to click on a day within the important datesrow. When the subscriber has clicked to add an important date, thecursor may automatically populate so the subscriber can type to name theimportant date, spawning the annotate use case. The subscriber may beable to remove an important date. The subscriber may be able to drag theimportant dates to span multiple days.

Manage Campaign Members. This use case may begin when the subscriberselects to manage campaign members. This use case may end when thesubscriber submits the changes, and the system 100 sends notificationsto the campaign editors. The subscriber may see a list of allcollaborators. Editors may be identified on the list (e.g.,graphically). The collaborators in the list may be selectable. FIG. 7shows an example process 700 for making changes to members. A subscribermay make changes to a collaborator (e.g., user type, access permissions,etc.), and in 710 the system 100 may receive the changes. In 720, thesystem 100 may enact the changes to the member's profile. The system 100may support the ability for a subscriber to allow collaborators tobecome editors. The system 100 may support the ability for an editor totoggle editor status of collaborators. Non-editors may be able torequest editor status, which may cause the system 100 to deliver therequest to one or more editors. The subscriber creating the campaign mayautomatically be made an editor and may remain editor at least untilthere is another editor appointed. Each campaign may have a minimum ofone editor. The system 100 may support the ability for the subscriberwho created a campaign (or other editors in some embodiments) to modifythe campaign to add and remove members. If an email address is changed,the system 100 may assume this is a new member. Upon saving the changes,the system 100 may send emails or other notifications to new groupmembers. The email may contain a link to the system 100 website landingpage for account creation and login. FIG. 15A shows an example UI 1505which may provide these features.

Annotate. This use case may begin when the subscriber clicks any item onthe calendar timeline. This use case may end when the subscriber typeswhat they want and then “enter” or click out of the type box orotherwise submit the data. FIG. 6 provides an example 600 of adding anew annotation. The system 100 may receive the new information in 610.If an annotation is requested in 620, the system 100 may determinewhether there is content available 630. Cells within the calendar rowsmay allow annotations. If content is uploaded to the system, it mayreceive priority over annotations in 650. For instance, if Tuesday hasan annotation on it and then a subscriber uploads an image, theannotation may not be visible over the image. If there is no content,annotations may be displayed in 640.

Add Campaign. This use case may begin when the subscriber selects to adda new campaign. This use case may end when a new campaign has beencreated and appears on the subscriber's main calendar view. Thesubscriber may add a blank campaign, for example in the form of a blankcalendar template with only the dates pre-populated. The blank campaignmay be given a default name, and the campaign calendar may default tothe current date. The subscriber may add a new campaign by choosing froma list of preselected row options (e.g., TV Show Premiere, MoviePremiere, Automotive Launch, Product Launch, etc., as well as anytemplates created as described below). See FIG. 14B for an example addcampaign UI. This list may be editable by the system 100 curator. Once acampaign template has been selected, a calendar tab may be created witha respective pre-populated template, which may be uploaded by the system100 curator. The subscriber may also be able to create a new templatebased on their current campaign. The subscriber may name and save thetemplate and use it in the future to create campaigns. These templatesmay only show up for the subscriber who created them. See FIG. 14C foran example save template UI. Subscribers may be able to edit and deletetemplates. A subscriber may also be able to add an example campaign bychoosing from a list of preselected row options (e.g., Oreo, New CastleBrown Ale, Ford Mustang, etc.). This list may be editable by the system100 curator. Once an example campaign template has been selected, acalendar tab may be created with respective pre-populated template,which may be uploaded by the system 100 curator. Calendar view maydefault to earliest content in the example campaign.

FIG. 8 provides an example addition of a campaign 800. In 810 the system100 may begin creating a campaign. If the campaign is new from atemplate in 820, the calendar module 110 may load the campaign templatein 830. If the campaign is to be a new template in 840, the calendarmodule 110 may create a template in 850. If the campaign is an examplecampaign in 860, the calendar module 110 may add an example campaign in870. If none of the above options apply, in 880 the calendar module 110may create a blank campaign.

Add Phase, Remove Phase, Drag Phase. A phase may be a group of relateddates identified by the user, as shown in FIG. 16 for example. This usecase may begin when the subscriber adds, removes, or drags a phase onthe phase row. This use case may end when phases are added, removed, ordragged into position. The subscriber may be able to select a day withinthe phase row. When the subscriber has chosen to add a phase, a cursormay automatically populate so a subscriber can type to name the phase,spawning the annotate use case. The subscriber may be able to remove aphase. The subscriber may be able to drag the phases to span multipledays, weeks etc.

Launch Upload Window. This use case may begin when the subscriber addsan item by dragging and dropping files into a publishing row, selectingan existing item in the publishing row, or selecting a blank cell in thepublishing row, and the upload window is open. The use case may end whenthe subscriber makes changes to the upload window items, those changesare automatically persisted to the system 100, and subscriber closes orclicks out of the window. FIG. 9 presents an example upload 900. Thesystem 100 may receive an upload request in 910. Any item added in adrag and drop scenario may populate in the upload window. Each uploadwindow may contain information about the last time it was updated. Forinstance “Uploaded by [Subscriber Name] on [date]” or “Edited by[Subscriber Name] on [date].” Changes may be automatically saved as theyhappen. A subscriber may be able to populate the title field with text,choose a date range, add text to the text box (which may represent thenative type that will accompany images on social networks, a legibleversion of small type on a print add, a television script, etc.),interact with comments, view images, and/or upload and delete items. Asubscriber may be able to see a list of comments associated with thecontent. For example, comments may be sorted by date, newest first, orin some other way. Each comment may contain the name of the person whosubmitted it, their profile picture, their comment, and the date andtime it was created, other information that may be useful, or acombination thereof. In 920 the subscriber generated data may bereceived 920. In 930 the Subscriber may be able to see a preview of thecontent that has been uploaded. If the content is an image or video, itmay be cropped to accurately preview how it will look within thecalendar. If the content is a video, there may be full playbackcapability for preview purposes. If the content is text, audio, orsomething that cannot be displayed, then an icon may be displayed thatrepresents the content. A subscriber may be able to click a button andlaunch a finder window on their device that may allow for a contentupload. The new item that is uploaded may replace the current imagepreview, if applicable. A subscriber may be able to delete the item, insome cases after viewing a warning and consenting. In 940, the data maybe uploaded to the system 100.

Email System Customer Support. This use case may begin when thesubscriber selects to email customer support. This use case may end whenthe subscriber submits the email or exits the function without sendingthe email. The subscriber may be able to email support from within thesystem 100 interface.

Toggle Campaign Tab Visibility. This use case may begin when thesubscriber selects to show or hide a campaign tab, or navigates toanother tab. This use case may end when the subscriber can see thedesired campaign(s) displayed in front of them. A subscriber may be ableto display multiple campaigns at once if they choose by clicking on a“show” or “hide” icon on the tab, for example. A subscriber may be ableto navigate between campaigns.

Zoom. This use case may begin when the subscriber uses pinch and zoommotions on a touch screen or clicks the zoom function to zoom in or outor otherwise zooms. This use case may end when the subscriber can seethe desired date range displayed in front of them

Print. This use case may begin when the subscriber selects the printoption. This use case may end when the subscriber has printed pages ofhis/her campaign(s). The print feature may offer the ability to print insome or all of the following ways, and/or in other ways:

-   -   Print all pages from all campaigns    -   Print all pages from current campaign    -   Print all pages from visible campaigns    -   Print pages with changes today    -   Print pages with changes this week    -   Print pages with changes this month

Drag Media Spend Bars. This use case may begin when the subscriber dragsthe media spend bars (e.g., up and down). This use case may end when thesubscriber has finished dragging. A subscriber may have the ability todrag the individual days in the media section to indicate how the mediadollars are being spent against the creative publishing row days.

Provide Example Content to Subscribers. This use case may begin when thesystem 100 is triggered to display example content for subscribers. Thetrigger events may include, but are not limited to, the following:

-   -   The subscriber has chosen to add a new campaign from a template    -   The subscriber has chosen to display an example campaign

This use case may end when the system 100 has displayed a new campaigntab for the subscriber to view. Example campaigns and templates may beuploaded by the system 100 curator.

Send Notifications. This use case may begin when the system 100 istriggered to notify the subscriber. The notification may be triggered bya variety of events, for example:

-   -   Notifying an editor that a collaborator has been added    -   Notifying an editor that a subscriber has asked to become an        editor    -   Notifying a subscriber that they have become an editor    -   Invitations to join campaigns    -   Notifying someone that they have been added to a campaign

This use case may end when the system 100 sends an alert notification tothe subscriber. Notifications may be delivered according to thesubscriber's configured preference (e.g., either email or pushnotification). If a member is not yet a subscriber, the notification maybe sent by email, and the member may be required to create an account toview the calendar. When a subscription (trial or purchased) is nearingexpiration, and the subscriber has opted for auto-renewal, the system100 may send a notification, such as an email notification. FIG. 14Hillustrates an example notification management UI.

Auto-renew Subscriptions. This use case may begin when a date has beenreached on which subscriber's subscription has expired if the Subscriberhas opted for auto-renewal. This use case may end when a payment issuccessfully processed. FIG. 11 presents an example subscription renewal1100. Where a subscriber has opted for auto-renewal of a subscription,upon expiration of the last subscription period in 1110, the system 100may submit a payment authorization request for the amount of the newsubscription period in 1120. The payment may be for the basesubscription and for the duration configured in the subscriber'sprofile. When the authorization is accepted in 1130, the system 100 mayrenew the subscription for the duration selected by the subscriber intheir account profile in 1140.

Manage Example Campaigns. This use case may begin when the curator hasaccessed the system 100 content repository for the purpose of adding,editing, or removing example campaigns. This use case may end when thecurator has added, edited, or removed example campaigns. The curator maybe able to add new content to the content repository.

Manage New Campaign Templates. This use case may begin when the curatorhas accessed the system 100 content repository for the purpose ofadding, editing, or removing campaign templates. This use case may endwhen the curator has added, edited, or removed campaign templates. Thecurator may be able to add new content to the content repository.

Set up Promo for Trial Subscriptions. This use case may begin when themarketing administrator accesses the function in the system 100 wheretrial subscription promotions are defined. This use case may end whenthe marketing administrator saves the new trial subscription promotion.The marketing administrator may be able to persist trial subscriptionpromotion codes and associated PMD codes to the system 100.

Run Reports. This use case may begin when the marketing administratorselects to run a report. This use case may end when the marketingadministrator is viewing the report results. FIG. 12 shows an examplereport process 1200. In 1210, the system 100 may receive a reportrequest. In 1220, the system 110 may generate the report. In 1230, thesystem 110 may display the report. The marketing administrator may beable to run reports for internal and external use. Reports may include,but are not limited to:

-   -   Monthly active users    -   Campaign viewing statistics    -   Trial subscription conversions to base or premium subscriptions        by PMD    -   Activated trial subscriptions by PMD    -   Accounts payable—amounts due to PMDs    -   Subscriber demographic    -   Refunded subscription    -   Auto-renewals

Assist User Account Recovery. The customer support user may be able toassist subscribers with accounts. Where the subscriber has forgotten theemail address they used to set up the account, the customer support usermay be able to assist, for example.

Extend Free Trial Subscriptions. This use case may begin when asubscriber contacts the customer support user and requests an extensionof a free trial subscription. The use case may end when the customersupport user extends the free trial subscription. The customer supportuser may be able to extend free trial subscriptions as requested by asubscriber. Extensions may be in standard increments (e.g., one month,one year, etc.). The system 100 may record an instance of an extensionand date the extension was made and may allow for a note to be enteredregarding the subscriber's account.

Example Use Cases

Advertising Formats: Advertising agencies may use the system 100 tocompare creative assets for their various brand clients. For example,use cases may involve comparing different formats for advertising likeprint, TV, out of home, digital, social, etc. as they are launched atdifferent times on different platforms.

Photography: Photographers or photography studios may use the system 100to compare different photographic prints before they are displayed in agallery or online (e.g., on a blog, website, social network, etc.).

Designs: Designers creating different patterns, logos, models, digitalassets, crafts, etc. may use the system 100 to compare how their designslook in different settings, on different products, with differentlighting, etc. and control when the designs are released.

Sketches: Anyone using a traditional method of sketching an idea onpaper, white board, canvas, napkins, etc. may use the system 100 toorganize their ideas and visually compare them on screen, along withwhen the ideas may be moved into the next phase of development.

Videos: Anyone creating videos may upload their videos to the system 100and see how different video styles compare with one another as well assee when the video may be released to the public in the calendar.

Fine Art: Artists creating drawings, paintings, sculpture,installations, etc. from various materials may use the system 100 tocompare their art and control when it may be released to the public.

Museums/Galleries: Curators or managers may use the system 100 to reviewwhat goes on the museum walls and when, as well as when exhibits areadded or taken down.

Fabric: Fabric manufacturers my use the system 100 to compare variouspatterns on rolls of fabric to see which fabrics are in production, andwhen.

Computer Aided Drawings: Anyone using a computer to design a product mayoutput various stages of development and use the system 100 to comparehow fast things are being created and keep track of their progressthroughout production.

Automotive: Manufacturers may use the system 100 to compare variousmodels of cars, planes, motorcycles, etc. and their development stagesfrom concepts to marketing to exhibition at various auto shows torelease.

Clothing/Apparel Design: Companies that design clothing and apparel mayuse the system 100 to decide which pieces may be released at which timesby visual comparison.

Clothing/Apparel Display: Companies that sell clothing/apparel invirtual or physical stores may use the system 100 to compare which itemsare sold at which times.

Industrial Designs: Companies or individuals that create products foruse or display may use the system 100 to compare various stages or usecases of the products they create. For example, different shapes orcolors of a created object can be compared for user testing andusability and/or aesthetics.

Property Management: People that own multiple building units or landlots may use the system 100 to compare photographs and graphicsrepresenting their property, when it needs inspection, when it wasbought, when it was sold, etc.

Building Construction Management: Companies or individuals thatbuild/construct units may use the system 100 to monitor various stagesof development.

Real Estate Speculation: Investors looking to purchase real estate mayuse the system 100 to compare various land plots, building units,drawings, maps, etc. and see when they became available, were sold, arescheduled to be built or remodeled, etc.

Interior Design: Interior Designers may use the system 100 to visuallycompare matching colors, styles, decorations, furniture, etc. as theyrelate to the rooms and houses for which they are designing.

Architectural Designs: Architects may use the system 100 to compareinspirational features, current projects, various stages of designs,etc. for their projects.

Handwriting: Calligraphers and other occupations involving writing wordsby hand may use the system 100 to evolve their writing abilities, designnew fonts, explore different versions of their writing, etc.

Source Files: Any person using a software program to develop or explorefiles may use the system 100 to preview different files for differentdays so they know which files may be associated with which day/week/yearetc.

Consumer Packaged Goods: Companies developing products for distributionand sale within a physical or virtual store may use the system 100 tocompare various packaging, labels, boxes, blister packs, signage, etc.so they can see which products are releasing at which times and how theyvisually compare to each other.

Pharmaceutical: Companies manufacturing drugs for commercial and privatedistribution may use the system 100 to compare labels, warnings,disclaimers, side effects, litigation flags, etc., as well as when thesethings might happen.

Software Development: Companies or individuals creating software may usethe system 100 to compare screenshots, features, tutorials, etc. relatedto their product at various stages of development.

Entertainment: Companies creating movies, television shows, video games,concerts, etc. may use the system 100 to compare various assets such asactor head shots, bios, posters, trailers, previews, behind the scenesclips, video extras, inspirational photography, set design, charactersculptures, 3D assets, scenery, location photos, storyboards, etc. atvarious stages of development.

Facial Representations: Anyone needing to compare faces may use thesystem 100 to visualize teams, lists, groups, contacts, clients,co-workers, members, employees, organizations, etc. For example, thepolice department may want to feature the America's Most Wanted list,including when people are highlighted, added, or removed from the list.

Projections: Anyone using an illuminating device to project an image mayuse the system 100 to compare projections, hardware, surfaces, bulbvariations, etc.

Food Industry: Farmers, processors, manufacturers, distributors,restaurant owners, etc. may use the system 100 to compare diagramsand/or photographs of seed variations, menu items, plate configurations,kitchen hardware, etc. along with when and where they might be used.

Virtual Reality: The system 100 may be used inside of a virtual realityprogram to compare assets that may not exist outside of the program. Forinstance, if there are new assets to be created inside a virtual world,the system 100 may be used to plan when and where the assets may becreated and placed.

Publishers: Publishers of magazines, books, ebooks, newspapers, andvarious media may use the system 100 to compare content within theirpublications, as well as various publications under one umbrellacompany. For example a magazine may use this software to compare pagesand sections within the magazine, while the parent company may use thesoftware to compare cover shots from the magazine with other magazinesit publishes, etc.

Collections: Collectors may use the system 100 to display theircollections, mark when new pieces are being released, when they boughtor sold items in their collection, etc.

Government: Government officials or employees may use the system 100 tocompare and monitor different types of units within various governmentbranches or military organizations. For instance, various tabs of thesoftware could display uniforms, vehicles, weapons, currency, etc. aswell as when and why they are being altered, added, or deprecated.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example and notlimitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope. In fact, after reading theabove description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevantart(s) how to implement alternative embodiments.

In addition, it should be understood that any figures which highlightthe functionality and advantages are presented for example purposesonly. The disclosed methodology and system are each sufficientlyflexible and configurable such that they may be utilized in ways otherthan that shown.

Although the term “at least one” may often be used in the specification,claims and drawings, the terms “a”, “an”, “the”, “said”, etc. alsosignify “at least one” or “the at least one” in the specification,claims and drawings.

In addition, the terms “comprising”, “including”, etc. signify“including, but not limited to” in the specification, claims anddrawings.

Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims that include theexpress language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6. Claims that do not expressly include the phrase“means for” or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112,paragraph 6.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a firstcomputer, using a management module in communication with a processor, aplurality of creative elements, each creative element comprising atleast one of an image, graphics, or video; receiving, with themanagement module, a chosen time period of interest for the creativeelements and information about how the creative elements compare to eachother; associating, with the management module, each of the plurality ofcreative elements overlapping in time with one another during the chosentime period of interest; detecting, with the management module, screendimensions of a second computer in communication with the managementmodule through a cloud system; processing at the first computer, usingthe management module, each of the plurality of creative elementsoverlapping in time with one another; displaying at the second computer,using the management module, the creative elements together in a timeslot of a calendar corresponding to the overlapping time; loading acreative element from among the plurality of creative elements, at afirst resolution according to a first zoom level on a user interfacescreen of the second computer while a user is zooming the creativeelement; loading the creative element from among the plurality ofcreative elements, at a second resolution according to a second zoomlevel on the user interface screen of the second computer while the useris zooming the creative element; generating, with the management module,multiple copies of each of the plurality of creative elements, each copyhaving a different resolution and file size; selecting, with themanagement module, one of the multiple copies of each creative elementfor display on the second computer, the selecting comprising choosing acopy of each creative element having at least one of the first maximumresolution or the second maximum resolution displayable on the secondcomputer based on the screen dimensions; simultaneously displaying onthe second computer, in a size corresponding to the screen dimensions ofthe second computer, in a visually layered timeline format on thecalendar corresponding to the chosen time period of interest, thecreative element or multiple related creative elements together on theuser interface screen of the second computer, enabling the multiplerelated creative elements to be reviewed and compared to each other inthe calendar on the user interface screen for the chosen time period ofinterest: wherein the first resolution is a first maximum resolution forthe creative element based on the screen dimensions of the secondcomputer and the first zoom level; wherein the second resolution is asecond maximum resolution for the creative element based on the screendimensions of the second computer and the second zoom level; whereindisplaying includes displaying, at the second computer, the creativeelement at the first maximum resolution for the creative element basedon the screen dimensions of the second computer and the first zoomlevel; and wherein displaying includes displaying, at the secondcomputer, the creative element at the second maximum resolution for thecreative element based on the screen dimensions of the second computerand the second zoom level.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtransmitting, with the management module, a total file comprising eachof the selected creative elements, to the second computer, wherein thetotal file comprises a minimum file size for each of the selectedcreative elements minimized through omission of creative elements havingresolutions that are too large to display on the second computer basedon the screen dimensions.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:loading the multiple related creative elements from among the pluralityof creative elements at different resolutions and different zoom levelson the user interface screen of the second computer, wherein each of themultiple related creative elements on the user interface screen arezoomed at a user desired level and arranged at an oriented position tobe reviewed and compared to each other in the calendar for the chosentime period of interest.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprisingmaking data related to each of the plurality of creative elementsdisplayed on the user interface screen available to the user.
 5. Themethod of claim 3, wherein each of the related creative elements isassociated with a separate creative type of a single overall campaign.6. The method of claim 3, wherein each of the related creative elementsfurther comprises text information.
 7. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising displaying, with the management module, the text informationof at least one of the related creative elements.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the calendar displays a single list of dates horizontally,and under each date all creative elements shown on that date are listedin a column under that date.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of creative elements includes at least one audio recording.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first computer and the secondcomputer are a same computer.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of creative elements comprise art elements associated with oneor more art displays.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof creative elements comprise at least one of: product elementsassociated with one or more physical products; or visual elementsassociated with one or more physical properties; or a combinationthereof.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of creativeelements comprise at least one of: software elements associated with oneor more software products; or visual elements associated with one ormore facial databases; or visual elements associated with one or morepublications; or design elements associated with one or moreinventories; or a combination thereof.
 14. The method of claim 1,further comprising: displaying on the second computer, a first subset ofcreative elements from among the plurality of creative elementsassociated with a campaign, at the first resolution according to thefirst zoom level on the user interface screen on a first calendarcorresponding to a first chosen time period of interest; andsimultaneously displaying on the second computer, a second subset ofcreative elements from among the plurality of creative elementsassociated with the campaign, at the second resolution according to thesecond zoom level on the user interface screen on a second calendarseparate from the first calendar corresponding to a second chosen timeperiod of interest.